Crime

Senior Citizens and their families lose $3 Billion a year to con artists. What can we do to stop them?

This is a statement on the cover of the latest Consumer Reports magazine. In a recent study, about 1 in 20 seniors said they were financially abused. If a new disease struck that many older Americans the report noted, a public health crisis would likely be declared.

EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—With spring break fast approaching, many West Michigan families are fine-tuning their travel plans—and so are thieves.

Most West Michigan schools will be out of session April 3-10, so families can take a vacation. East Grand Rapids Public Safety Director Mark Herald says this is the time homeowners need to step up safety measures. Herald shares seven ways to make your home less attractive to thieves:

EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—West Michigan is home to one of the safest cities in Michigan, according to a new analysis by Value Penguin.

East Grand Rapids ranked fifth among midsize cities and 16th overall. Value Penguin based its rankings on FBI crime statistics collected in 2013. The group excluded towns with populations less than 5,000. Value Penguin then compared crimes in the remaining cities per capita, giving more weight to violent crimes than property crimes.

The West Michigan communities that came in above the state average for crimes included Spring Lake-Ferrysburg (No. 28), Rockford (No. 45), Zeeland (No. 56), Belding (No. 80) and Grand Haven (No. 118).

KENTWOOD, Mich.—As the busiest shopping day of the year approaches, police are offering 10 ways to protect yourself and your vehicle from thieves.

Help Eliminate Auto Thefts (H.E.A.T.) works with Michigan law enforcement agencies to track down suspected car thieves and those suspected of auto theft-related insurance fraud. Shoppers are encouraged to follow these tips:

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich.—West Michigan is home to three of the 10 most dangerous places in the state, according to Movoto Real Estate.

The company based its rankings on cities with populations of 10,000 or more that also ranked high in murder, violent crimes, property crimes and total crimes, based on the 2012 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Flint topped the list, followed by Benton Harbor, Detroit, Highland Park, Muskegon Heights, Harper Woods, Inkster, Flint Township, Ypsilanti and Kalamazoo. Grand Rapids came in at No. 16, Holland ranked 26th, Walker took 32nd place, Grandville ranked 41st, Norton Shores landed at No. 42, Kalamazoo Township was 45th and Grand Haven came in at No. 50 among the 102 qualified communities. To see the entire list, visit Movoto’s website here.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—Grand Rapids police detectives are releasing surveillance images of two men wanted for a series of convenience store robberies.

The crimes happened between April 13 and June 22 and typically involved one or both suspects entering the store, producing a handgun then robbing the store clerk of money and Newport cigarettes. In several of the crimes, store customers were also robbed.

KENT COUNTY, Mich.—The sheriff department is warning residents about a scam that’s made its way into Kent County.

On June 16, a resident contacted the sheriff department to report a suspicious phone call. The suspect masked their phone number so it appeared the phone call was coming from the Kent County Sheriff Department. The predator told the victim the Kent County Sheriff Department had a warrant out for their arrest and they needed to pay hundreds of dollars to take care of the warrant. The scammer also used an actual sheriff department employee’s name. Fortunately, the victim thought the call was suspicious and contacted deputies.